The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
DOWN ON THE FARM: WHERE TO FIND FESTIVE FALL EVENTS
Pumpkin patches, mazes and more offer family thrills.
Unlike for Linus in “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” hanging out in a pumpkin patch can have bountiful rewards. Regional pumpkin patch and corn maze attractions promise enough seasonal farm-style fun to lure folks from the big city.
You can blast fruit or veggies from a cannon or pick out a rotund orange pumpkin while trying not to get lost among the corny trails at various spots from Buford to Fort Valley. We’ve gathered a small crop of options. Take your pick:
Buford Corn Maze
Kids young and old try to make their way through a twisting 5-acre corn maze. This year’s design sports a WSB-TV logo. Got the guts to try the Haunted Forest? Maybe the popcorn jumping pillow or a pony ride sounds more like it. Relax on unlimited hayrides. Remember, the attraction stays open until 10 p.m. on Halloween.
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 10 a.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays; closed Tuesdays and Thursdays. November hours: 5-10 p.m. Nov. 4 and 11; 10 a.m.-midnight Nov. 5; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Nov. 6, 12 and 13. $15 for the maze; $15 for Haunted Forest; $25 combo ticket for both; free ages 3 and younger. 4470 Bennett Road, Buford. 678-835-7198, bufordcornmaze.com.
Jaemor Farms
“Jurassic Park” goes country? Well, imagine a T-Rex stomping through a corn patch and leaving a dino-shaped design in its wake. The real creators dub their 11th annual corn maze Jurassic Jaemor. Stand atop the bridge overlooking the cornfield for a better view. You also can take a hayride, meet contemporary creatures in the petting zoo, hop aboard the pumpkin train, shoot apples from a cannon and more. Before heading home, consider grabbing a farm-grown pumpkin. Activity tickets can be purchased a la carte, but the staff suggests the more affordable allaccess pass.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays through Oct. 27; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays through Nov. 5; 1-7 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 6. $14 all-access pass; free ages 2 and younger. 5340 Cornelia Highway, Alto. 770-869-3999, jaemorfarms.com.
Southern Belle Farm
Take a bird’s-eye view of Southern Belle Farm, and you’ll find the words “Kindness Works — Pass It On” carved into nearly 4 acres of corn patch. It serves as a memorial to Hunter Welch, a Henry County student known for his positivity toward others who passed away in 2004. Since 2012, the state recognizes the second week of November as Kindness Week in Georgia, a resolution introduced by Hunter’s brother, state Rep. Andy Welch. Southern Belle Farm promotes the philosophy on-site, along with entertaining activities. The corn cannon, flower picking, 2 acres of pumpkins, a jumping pillow, a cow train, rubber duck races and
heaps more can be found. Although Southern Belle offers the fall activities Fridays through Sundays in October, and the first Saturday and Sunday in November, its Farm Country Market operates Tuesdays through Sundays.
4-9 p.m. Fridays in October; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 5; 1-6 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 6. $14; $12 ages 65 and older, and military and public service personnel with ID; free ages 2 and younger. 658 Turner Church Road, McDonough. 770-288-2582, southernbellefarm.com.
The Pumpkin Patch at Yule Forest
The month of October sprouts seasonal pastimes, both contemporary and traditional, at this familyowned and -operated farm. Rub fur and feathers with the inhabitants of the petting zoo. Take a hayride cruise around the farm or amp up knowledge at the science center. The latter offers a farm-to-table exhibit. A puppet show, a bee house with bustling honey bees, and inflatables for bouncing also are available. You can peruse the pumpkin patch and pick a pumpkin straight off the vine. Those who can handle goosebumps can buy a ticket to the Fear the Woods haunted attraction ($17) or Pandemic ($17) zombie laser tag. A $30 combo ticket scores both, and these attractions scare visitors weekend nights in October. Beginning Thanksgiving day, things get holly and jolly with Christmas trees and more. Yule Forest is located across the street from Pleasant Grove Elementary.
October hours: 4-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. $8 adults; $11 children, includes access to Fun Zone and a mini pumpkin. 3565 Highway 155 N., Stockbridge. 770-954-9356, aboutyule. com, fearthewoods.com.
Lane Southern Orchards
The 6-acre corn maze at Lane Southern Orchards arguably has more soul than any other. In honor of what would’ve been the late Otis Redding’s 75th birthday, Lane had the legendary Macon-bred soul singer’s image cut into rows of corn. The staff invites guests to explore the sprawling pumpkin patch. Hayrides, a corn cannon and rubber duck races make this year’s active itinerary. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 22, special events are planned at the Fall Farm Festival. Live music will provide the soundtrack as visitors get busy with scavenger hunts. A $10 fee will give kids access to the play area, featuring a 100-foot slide and more. A kiddie Halloween costume contest will take place 1-3 p.m. Adults can appreciate arts and crafts vendors, and all ages can refuel on festival food. Proceeds from the Fall Farm Festival will benefit Children’s Hospital Navicent Health in Macon.
Maze hours: noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays through Oct. 30. Corn maze and hayride combo: $14; $10 ages 4-12. Corn maze: $11; $8 ages 4-12. Hayride: $5; $3 ages 4-12; free ages 3 and younger; 10 percent discount ages 55 and older, and military personnel. 50 Lane Road, Fort Valley. 1-800-277-3224, lanesouthernorchards.com.
The Rock Ranch
Fall Family Fun Days rock the Rock Ranch. Actor and pro wrestler Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson gets immortalized in the venue’s corn maze, his trademark mug etched into the patch. Johnson himself acknowledges the maze on his Twitter account. Yet, even if you don’t get an actual sighting of “the Rock,” the 1,500acre cattle ranch has lots to keep customers busy, with more than 30 attractions — think zip lines, carousel rides, a rock-climbing wall, tethered hot air balloon rides and oodles of others. Certain attractions require an additional fee.
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5; 1-7 p.m. Oct. 16, 23 and 30. $13-$15 ages 3 and older; free ages 2 and younger. 5020 Barnesville Highway, The Rock. 706647-6374, therockranch. com.